Alvin Wyatt
Encyclopedia
Alvin B. Wyatt is a former American football
defensive back
in the National Football League
and former college head coach.
He played college football
at Bethune-Cookman University, and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders
in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL Draft
. Wyatt also played for the Buffalo Bills
, Houston Oilers, and Jacksonville Sharks of the World Football League. Wyatt is the former head coach
of the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcat football team from 1997-2009, where he is the winningest coach in the history of its football program. He compiled a record of 90-54-0.
Wyatt was responsible for turning around his alma mater's football program starting in 1997, when he took over as head coach. The program previously suffered 12 consecutive losing seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Wyatt's success was due in part to his colorful and outspoken personality, and his flashy attire as he patrolled the sidelines. But major credit is due to his development and installation of his 'Wyattbone' offense (a version of the option offense
), which enabled the team to be a potent rushing powerhouse, while their passing offense was efficient. As coach who came from a defensive background, Wyatt's defenses during the 2000s were ranked near the top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
(MEAC). In 2002, Wyatt lead Bethune-Cookman to its first outright MEAC title, and a share of the conference title in 2003. Under Wyatt, Bethune-Cookman defeated longtime rival Florida A&M University
in the annual Florida Classic
in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, a series which was previously dominated by the Florida A&M Rattlers
. The Wildcats played in the Division 1-AA playoffs in 2002 and 2003 under Wyatt.
Wyatt was an inspiration in the lives of many former Wildcat players, including current National Football League
players Rashean Mathis
(Jacksonville Jaguars), Nick Collins
(Green Bay Packers), and Eric Weems
(Atlanta Falcons). Mathis and Collins are the highest NFL draft picks to have ever come out of Bethune-Cookman. All three players have been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl. Mathis, Collins, and Weems were All-MEAC selections as well as being nominated to Div 1-AA All-American Teams and SBN Sports Black College All-American (BCAA) teams during their college careers. Other players under Wyatt who played in the NFL are Damion Cook
(offensive lineman), and Steve Baggs (linebacker) who is in the Canadian Football League
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and former college head coach.
He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Bethune-Cookman University, and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL Draft
1970 NFL Draft
The 1970 National Football League Draft was held on January 27–28, 1970.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
. Wyatt also played for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Houston Oilers, and Jacksonville Sharks of the World Football League. Wyatt is the former head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcat football team from 1997-2009, where he is the winningest coach in the history of its football program. He compiled a record of 90-54-0.
Wyatt was responsible for turning around his alma mater's football program starting in 1997, when he took over as head coach. The program previously suffered 12 consecutive losing seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Wyatt's success was due in part to his colorful and outspoken personality, and his flashy attire as he patrolled the sidelines. But major credit is due to his development and installation of his 'Wyattbone' offense (a version of the option offense
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
), which enabled the team to be a potent rushing powerhouse, while their passing offense was efficient. As coach who came from a defensive background, Wyatt's defenses during the 2000s were ranked near the top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States...
(MEAC). In 2002, Wyatt lead Bethune-Cookman to its first outright MEAC title, and a share of the conference title in 2003. Under Wyatt, Bethune-Cookman defeated longtime rival Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
in the annual Florida Classic
Florida Classic
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic is the annual college football game between the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University and the Rattlers of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The series record is FAMU 18, B-CU 10...
in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007, a series which was previously dominated by the Florida A&M Rattlers
Florida A&M Rattlers
The Florida A&M Rattlers represent Florida A&M University in college athletics. Florida A&M is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and participates in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . FAMU offers men's sports in baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming , tennis...
. The Wildcats played in the Division 1-AA playoffs in 2002 and 2003 under Wyatt.
Wyatt was an inspiration in the lives of many former Wildcat players, including current National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
players Rashean Mathis
Rashean Mathis
Rashean Jamil Mathis is an American football cornerback currently playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.-High school:Mathis attended Englewood High School in Jacksonville at the same time as Brett Myers of the Houston Astros, and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he...
(Jacksonville Jaguars), Nick Collins
Nick Collins
Nicholas Cardell Collins is an American football free safety who plays for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.-High school:...
(Green Bay Packers), and Eric Weems
Eric Weems
Eric Weems is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman.-Early years:Weems attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and...
(Atlanta Falcons). Mathis and Collins are the highest NFL draft picks to have ever come out of Bethune-Cookman. All three players have been selected to the NFL Pro Bowl. Mathis, Collins, and Weems were All-MEAC selections as well as being nominated to Div 1-AA All-American Teams and SBN Sports Black College All-American (BCAA) teams during their college careers. Other players under Wyatt who played in the NFL are Damion Cook
Damion Cook
Damion Lamar Cook is an American football guard for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman.Cook has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins,...
(offensive lineman), and Steve Baggs (linebacker) who is in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
.